Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective gauche contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gauche are awkward, clumsy, inept, and maladroit. While all these words mean "not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct)," gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding.

felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

When is it sensible to use awkward instead of gauche?

The words awkward and gauche can be used in similar contexts, but awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact.

periods of awkward silence

Where would clumsy be a reasonable alternative to gauche?

The synonyms clumsy and gauche are sometimes interchangeable, but clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill.

a clumsy mechanic

When would inept be a good substitute for gauche?

While in some cases nearly identical to gauche, inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy.

a hopelessly inept defense attorney

In what contexts can maladroit take the place of gauche?

The words maladroit and gauche are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations.

a maladroit politician

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gauche Another newspaper innovation introduced by Nicholson was a society column, which was seen by some in the city as gauche and bordering on scandalous. NOLA.com, 24 Jan. 2018 However, purists view purchasing king cakes before Jan. 6 as a demonstration of gauche impatience. NOLA.com, 5 Jan. 2018 Today, mass production and an abundance of cheap knockoffs have rendered conspicuous consumption unremarkable at best and gauche at worst. J.c. Pan, New Republic, 1 Aug. 2017 Old money, historically, has been stereotyped as having a Brahmin disdain for such a gauche topic. Paul Sullivan, New York Times, 19 May 2017 See All Example Sentences for gauche
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauche
Adjective
  • This, again, signals that this is an unusual and uncomfortable situation.
    Tim Maurer, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Since Mercury is the planetary ruler of Virgo, Kaye responds to these behaviors when defensive or uncomfortable.
    Lisa Stardust, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • While Susan’s style gets all the attention, there’s a story to be told in Roberta’s awkward glow-up, too.
    Scarlett Harris, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
  • The timing is awkward for Google, coming just days after Microsoft’s latest warning implying users would be safer switching from Chrome to Edge.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Unlike clumsier species that struggle with obstacles, the black mamba leverages every surface with surgical precision, effectively turning the landscape into a series of launchpads.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • There’s also a touching subplot for the clumsy, muted Dopey (Andrew Barth Feldman), who’s regularly the butt of the other dwarfs’ jokes.
    Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The whole exchange left Brooke feeling a little uneasy.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Sudden shifts in tariffs and federal job cuts have left many investors feeling uneasy.
    Bruce Gil, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask about benefits.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • But patriarch Samuel prefers to remain off camera, already embarrassed after being forced to give up his medical practice after getting prison time for health care fraud.
    Stephen Saito, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gauche.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauche. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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